15.11.2019

We, the undersigned, as students of the University of Leeds are united in our anger at university employers for forcing staff into taking strike action. Not only will the strike negatively impact upon our education in the short term but, we believe, this is the result of the long-running issues in Higher Education which are in the hands of university employers to resolve.

We are concerned that the staff who deliver our education are being chronically undervalued and overworked. We note that, nationally, pay in higher education has fallen by 20% against inflation whilst the vast majority of staff on fixed-term contracts would prefer a permanent contract. Furthermore, nationally the average pay of women staff remains 15% lower than that of men - which we understand to be even worse at the University of Leeds. In all respects, the University of Leeds reflects the national picture.

Given that many of us have experienced casualised employment ourselves, we understand that short-term and unstable forms of work result in not only the loss of valuable staff, but also significantly reduces the standard of education. Equally, women students expect that when they enter the world of work they will be recompensed equally, and are profoundly disappointed that the University do not do so. We are seriously alarmed that such poor employment practices are being adopted, as they demean the status and reputation of the University which should uphold the highest standards.

Therefore, we are in strong agreement with the UCU and NUS that this strike is in the best interests of students as well as staff. We demand the following:

*That the Vice-Chancellor Alan Langlands applies pressure to the employer bodies (UUK and UCEA) to get back around the negotiating table;

*That Alan Langlands follows the actions of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex by
expressing support and understanding for staff, and calling upon other Vice-Chancellors to do the same;

*That the University management do not apply a punitive approach to staff who decide to strike (for instance by forcing them to take pay deductions all at once, or by deducting pay for 'action short of a strike').

Finally, we call upon our student executive at the LUU to organise student solidarity with the strike. This should include collections for the hardship fund and delegations of students on the picket line.

We sincerely hope that students and workers alike, will unite and fight with us for a free and fair education!


Please sign using your LEEDS STUDENT email (@leeds.ac.uk) only.